Bereshit {47:27} Yisrael lived in the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt), in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly. {47:28} Ya’akov (Jacob) lived in the land of Mitzrayim seventeen years. So the days of Ya’akov, the years of his life, were one hundred forty-seven years. {47:29} The time drew near that Yisrael (Israel) must die, and he called his son Yoseph (Joseph), and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Mitzrayim, {47:30} but when I sleep with my avot (fathers), you shall carry me out of Mitzrayim, and bury me in their burying place.”

When I read this passage of Scripture I could not understand why Ya’akov wanted specifically to be buried in the place where his fathers were buried surely there were burying places in Mitzrayim where other Israelites were buried. After all, what is the difference where we are buried our soul and spirit leaves the body at death and ascends to heaven to be with the Father. Surely, therefore, it makes no difference where we are buried because at the resurrection HaShem can reunite our body with our soul and spirit no matter where we may be buried. We are told in Scripture that at the resurrection even the sea will give up its dead. So those who were buried at sea will be resurrected and reunited with their soul and spirit just like everyone else.

So why did Ya’acov make his son Yoseph vow that he would not bury him in Mitzrayim but instead bring his body to be buried with his fathers? After all even though he had the promise of possessing the land where his fathers were buried, it was not realized prior to his death. The obvious reason would be that he wanted to be buried with is ancestors and that would not be an unreasonable request.

Perhaps, however, Ya’akov just did not want to be buried among heathens. Mitzrayim was a heathen, idol worshiping nation. Perhaps he wanted to be buried among his fathers whom he knew worshiped the one true God and faithfully followed His commandments. What difference does it make? Obviously it must make some sort of difference because Yoseph wanted the same for himself. He made sure bnei Yisrael vowed they would carry his bones out of Mitzrayim when they left for Yisrael, which they did.

Forgive me for saying this but I feel the same way about where I will be buried. Surely my wife and I cannot be buried in the same burial place as our forefathers but we did insure that we would that we would be buried among other Messianic Believers. Like I said before, we have no idea what the difference is but we just decided that that is the way we wanted it to be.

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) {66:17} “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the center, who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things, and mice, shall come to an end altogether,” declares HaShem.

Yeshayahu {65:4} Who sit among graves, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots. {65:5} “Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. {65:6} “Behold, it is written before me, I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom,

You are probably wondering why I quoted these two Scriptures; they appear to be totally unrelated to the subject. The fact is they are not!

The Church in general today teaches against Torah and especially against the dietary laws contained in it. They eat swine’s flesh and other foods considered an abomination to the L-rd. In these verses HaShem is telling us what the end of these people will be. And do not try to justify in your mind that HaShem was speaking only to Yisrael, because He was not. Every Believer whether Jew or non-Jew when saved are grafted into the same tree whose roots are the forefathers of Yisrael. Non-Jewish Believers upon acceptance of Yeshua as their Mashiach (Messiah) become a part of the commonwealth of Yisrael and thus subject to the teachings of Torah.

What is my point? Simple! I consider being buried in a Christian or non-sectarian cemetery the same as the way perhaps Ya’akov felt about being buried in Mitzrayim. So what is a person to do? First for those living in Canada and the United States there are many Messianic congregations which have their own cemeteries, ours is one of them. If it is important enough to a person, it would not be difficult if they do not live near a Messianic Jewish cemetery to have their body shipped for burial. I am unaware if there is a Messianic cemetery in Europe but an option, if you can afford it, is to be buried in Yisrael. To the best of my knowledge non-Jews have a burial place there as well. In any case, each person has to be convinced in his own heart where they want to be buried and in the end when all is said and done, there may not even be a difference!

Published on Jun 8, 2015 The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Founder of Chabad) explains that the דָבָר יהוה, i.e., the Torah and HaShem are one and the same and that no human thought can actually apprehend G-d and His Word (Tanya, Likutei Amarim 4). In the Besorah of Yochanan, Moshiach is defined […]

Published on Jun 8, 2015 In the Iggeret (Epistle) of Yochanan (1 John 3:17-18, 23-24), we are told that one of the greatest investments we can make is meeting the need of our fellow brother. Many people believe that they will be awarded their position in Olam Haba based on מִצְווֹת בֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם (commandments […]

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